Green Cities - Tactical Urbanism

Urbanized areas tend to be surrounded by tall buildings with little access to open public spaces and natural environments. As a result, its residents face traffic congestion, noise pollution, and pedestrian and cyclist safety issues. 

Globally, 3.5 billion people now live in cities, and this number is expected to rise to 5 billion by 2050. Urban infrastructure grows along with cities. However, how can we enhance urban development sustainably so that it meets the needs of the communities in cities and megacities with limited resources? 

Tactical Urbanism

Guerrilla gardening, pop-up parks, and pop-up bike lanes are some of the small-scale urban intervention projects being organized by local communities and what they call tactical urbanists to improve livability and safety of local neighbourhoods. 

Using short-term, inexpensive materials to catalyze long-term urban transformation, tactical urbanism is a growing movement led by local communities. Local communities became frustrated with the bureaucratic process of improving infrastructure due to a slow pace of change. 

The platform has become a platform for local communities and tactical urbanists to collaborate and accelerate change for the betterment of their communities as well as the health of their neighbourhoods and cities. Activating and revitalizing public spaces can also be accomplished with it. 

It focuses on empowering individuals and communities to make their cities and neighbourhoods the places they want them to be. It encourages community members to take a grassroots approach by implementing their own DIY creative solutions and experimenting with public space that have an immediate benefit to their community. 

Tactical urbanism utilizes low-cost, readily available materials. Additionally, it supports research and design to utilize better materials as they become available. This is based on input from different communities and their strategies for implementing tactical urbanism. 

They would also test the effectiveness of the intervention by communicating with the local communities. If it did not benefit the community and the space, they would remove the project, and if it was successful and effective, they would increase efforts to expand it. 

Tactical urbanism transforms major cities.

The Greenlight for Midtown Project was an experimental project by the New York City Department of Transportation to turn Times Square into a pedestrian public plaza. By blocking off a large intersection with orange traffic cones and 376 folding beach chairs, they improved pedestrian experience by providing people with a place to take a break and enjoy the views of Times Square. 

It was a success that turned permanent, resulting in dramatic increases in foot traffic and reduced traffic injuries. A number of improvements were made around the area, including the addition of new benches and reconstruction of the streets. Times Square was intended to become even more dynamic and inviting. They began that project in late 2009 until summer 2014 when they began to build up the space permanently to be car-free. 

     Before                                                                                     After

These basic and impactful strategies are utilized across many other major cities and megacities for communities and citizens that hope to create sustainable change towards their own cities and neighbourhoods. In Washington D.C., two local residents took the initiative to paint a crosswalk after a fatal pedestrian accident to improve the safety of the intersection and more importantly for the local community.

The local education bureau in Chengdu, China, urgently needed a temporary and stable learning environment for an elementary school that was destroyed by the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. Chengdu's local community leaders collaborated with Shigeru Ban Architects from Japan to recruit 120 volunteers from Japan and China to create temporary classrooms made of paper tubes. With such inexpensive and sustainable materials, they were able to construct nine classrooms in just 40 days. 

How to Participate?

Urban planning, design, and advocacy firm Street Plans Collaborative has produced a variety of open-source documents, as well as a how-to guide called The Tactical Urbanists Guide to Materials and Design. Communities around the globe have used their guidebook to create sustainable changes in their local neighbourhoods and cities. 

You cannot apply tactical urbanism anywhere. Neighborhoods and cities with a strong foundation are the best for fostering a sense of connectedness between residents and their surroundings. Some suggestions:

Begin with small-scale DIY projects and interventions 

that are inexpensive and short-term 

The use of sustainable materials (recyclables and reusables)

Make sure that the goals for the projects are realistic in order to catalyze long-term change

Discuss how to activate the space with the local communities, urban planners, or tactical urbanists 

Why is Tactical Urbanism important?

By 2030, there will be 5 billion people living in cities, and most will be poor. Societies around the world will face one of the greatest challenges of uneven growth due to limited resources. In order for us to achieve SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by 2030, we must be able to enhance inclusiveness and sustainable urbanization, and develop participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement and planning. Learn more about how we can work together to achieve sustainable cities and communities by clicking here. 

It is an excellent approach to engaging and proactively interacting with local communities as it allows for specific issues to be identified and mitigated at minimal environmental cost while maximising the benefit of the community.